Adding Fruit to an already complex beer, should I do it?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Ultra-Plinian, Mar 24, 2014.

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  1. Ultra-Plinian

    Ultra-Plinian Pundit (877) Mar 1, 2013 Connecticut

    I have made a Chocolate, Oak, Bourbon, Espresso stout twice now and I want to add Cherry to it for my third brewing. I really like the results, but would like to add another level of complexity, does anyone see a reason why this would not work? I want to makes sure that the cherry mixing with this won't create an off flavor or be a combination that wouldn't work. I don't think it will but wanted to get some input from folks with more experience than myself. It is a Russian Imperial Stout base, that I add chocolate to the boil, cocoa to the secondary, Oak soaked in Bourbon and 10 oz of Bourbon to the secondary, rest for 4 to 6 weeks and 64 ounces of cold brewed coffee at bottling. Thanks for the input in advance....Cheers!
     
  2. premierpro

    premierpro Savant (1,060) Mar 21, 2009 Michigan

    It's your beer brew what you want. You will not know if you do not go! Good luck
     
  3. kdb150

    kdb150 Initiate (0) Mar 8, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Why not? If you've gotten the base recipe to where you like it, now is the time to experiment. Add cherry next time. Add cherry and remove espresso time after that. Etc. etc. etc.

    My own personal preference with cherry and other tart fruit flavors in a stout is that less is more, but a hint of fruit is a nice addition to a well-made stout.
     
  4. sarcastro

    sarcastro Savant (1,133) Sep 20, 2006 Michigan

    You can always add it to part of the beer if you are worried.
     
    inchrisin and MrOH like this.
  5. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    This sounds like the best bet. Put some cherries into a 1gal carboy, rack onto that, package the rest as you normally would. If you like the stuff with cherries, scale up for the next batch.
     
    PortLargo likes this.
  6. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Good advice, as each extra ingredient adds to the cost. Might as well brew scaled down versions of expensive experimental recipes.
     
  7. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    Sounds like too much to me, but hey, it's not my beer.

    I'd do a small amount if so inclined.
     
  8. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I wouldn't. Cherries are expensive and should be used as a highlight for a beer. Oak will overpower this. So would coffee, for that matter. For this one let the oak and the chocolate do the talking. For the 4th one I'd consider ramping up the chocolate a little, keeping it off oak, and adding the cherries. Oh, and no coffee next time either. :slight_smile:
     
  9. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    Yes!
    No!
    Maybe!

    whatever?
     
  10. SportsandJorts

    SportsandJorts Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 Virginia

    I think it's a good idea to split it. I recently did this with an old ale I brewed. After aging it, half went into the bottles and half went into a plastic bucket on top of dried fruits, cherries prune and raisons. I like the one aged on fruit a little better but they are both good. I also do some 1 gallon batches for my more experimental brews that I don't want to buy 5 gallons worth of ingredients. My latest was a rye wine, which might be aged on fruit if it doesn't mellow out
     
  11. FarmerTed

    FarmerTed Pundit (928) May 31, 2011 Colorado

    Coffee and chocolate sound good to me. Chocolate and cherry sound good as well. But coffee, chocolate and cherry sound gross as hell. Since you've made it with coffee and chocolate twice, and liked it, I'd make it this time with cherries but without the coffee. You can always fresh brew coffee and add it to your beer when serving, to see if you like it that way. I personally just hate flavored coffee (other than maybe mocha), and the idea of cherry-coffee turns my stomach.
     
  12. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Nobody ever hit upon the next new sensation by following someone else's recipe - or by following the rules. What's the worst that could happen anyway? If you're really worried about the results that much, keep a copy of the number for the waaaambulance on your refrigerator for quick reference, just in case. :rolling_eyes:

    Besides, adding cherries to a beer isn't a huge risk. Well, maybe to chipotle pickle green curry berliner weiss smoked beer aged in chardonnay barrels, perhaps. :grimacing:
     
  13. jae

    jae Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2010 Washington

    Split it. 2.5 gallons on fruit and 2.5 gallons plain. You get two beers for the effort of one.
     
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